THE LOVE OF GOD
ROMANS 5:1-11
Introduction:
The love of Christ is manifested in these verses here in Romans 5. It is a love that was extended to those who were unlovely. It is the Grace of God.
The Apostle Paul shows us the extent of God’s love toward us in the giving of His only Son. It is by His blood that we are justified and reconciled to God.
Look with me as we consider these things.
I. WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS.
A. Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners, v. 8.
1. The Grace of God manifested to us, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
2. The Mercy of God is demonstrated to us, Titus 3:4-5, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
B. His death demonstrates His great love for mankind, John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”
C. His death was vicarious, i.e., He died in our place.
II. RECONCILED TO GOD.
A. We were enemies of God without Christ.
1. Without God, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. We were at times hostile to the truth, Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
B. We were reconciled to God.
1. We made peace with God by trusting Jesus as our Savior,
2. We have been made happy and content in Christ,
III. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.
A. God disregards our guilt.
1. He shows mercy, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
2. The Lord forgives our sin, Psalm 86:4, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
B. We stand as if acquitted.
1. We are guilty, Romans 3:11-12, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
2. BUT we are justified by His blood, v. 9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
a. The blood made the atonement, Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
b. Without blood it is impossible, Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
C. We are saved from the wrath to come by His blood, v. 9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
D. We shall be saved by His life, v. 10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
1. Because He was raised from the dead, we shall be raised also, 1 Corinthians 15:19, 22, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
2. Because He lives today, we shall live forever, 1 Corinthians 15:23, “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
CONCLUSION
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Jesus has already done this for you. What is left is for you to accept this gift of eternal life that he offers you right now. Faith in Christ as your Savior is all that is necessary for life eternal.